SpaceX targets Starship V3 launch in four weeks while Chinese startup Landspace advances methane propulsion technology.
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SpaceX is preparing for its 12th Starship test flight, targeting launch approximately four weeks from now according to Elon Musk. This mission will debut the upgraded Starship "V3" configuration, representing the most powerful version of the rocket system to date. The test continues SpaceX's rapid iteration approach toward developing a fully reusable heavy-lift vehicle for lunar missions and Mars exploration.
Meanwhile, Chinese launch startup Landspace has completed a full-system hot-fire test of its new 220-ton-thrust methane rocket engine, designed for next-generation heavy-lift launchers. The long-duration test marks a significant milestone in China's private space sector development, as methane engines offer advantages in reusability and performance compared to traditional kerosene-fueled systems. Landspace's engine development parallels SpaceX's Raptor methane engine technology.
The Starship V3 test represents the latest in SpaceX's accelerated testing cadence, with previous flights demonstrating improved heat shield performance and landing capabilities. Landspace's engine test comes as Chinese private space companies race to compete with established players like SpaceX and traditional aerospace contractors in the global launch market.
These developments highlight intensifying competition in heavy-lift rocket technology, with both American and Chinese companies pursuing methane-fueled engines for their superior performance characteristics. The advances could accelerate timeline reductions for deep space missions and satellite constellation deployments, potentially reshaping commercial space access costs and capabilities in the coming decade.